I couldn't be there because I was too young to travel to Saarbrücken from my parents' point of view, but I was eagerly waiting for their appearance at Show Express, as two years earlier they should have been in this show live but due to those kidnapping threats were advised not to travel (it was a wonderful broadcast from Stockholm via satellite though back then). But THIS - in 1982 - was such an emotional moment for me, even if I could only watch it on tv... still I get goosebumps watching it (and I come back to this clip on a regular basis...) Everything about it is/was - like you said - just brilliant... and yes, Michael Schanze - the host - was quite thrilled too as he absolutely wanted to have them on his show...and this was the last chance as the show stopped after this broadcast (like you said already)... This tv-appearance is part of the ABBA-magic and will be engraved in my "ABBA dna" forever. Thanks for "highlighting" this!!!
It was so nice they still decided to do that satellite broadcast in 1980. I think those kidnapping threats were one of the reasons for that increasing absence from TV/travelings in 1981-82. Like you said, in '82 it was the last chance for Michael Schanze to get ABBA for his show because his show stopped, but also because ABBA would do no more travelings together afterwards :-) Everything worked out so well. Pure perfection!
I saw it in Germany on tv back then. I was 15 and it was so exciting. 2 months later my family moved to Australia. ❤ an absolutely iconic Abba moment for Germany and in ABBA’s history. The performance couldn’t have been more perfect than that. One of the features of Michael Schanze’s show was that he brought out all of his guests one by one for a final wave goodbye and wave to the audience. In the original RU-vid clip, he waves his finger at the end, signalling: But wait there is more… and when Abba wave their final goodbyes as the show finishes, the fans go crazy and storm the stage again and they have to quickly whisk the band away so they don’t get pushed over lol. Whoever taped this and uploaded this years ago deserves my deepest gratitude as I hadn’t seen that performance in 20 years. And thank YOU for all your videos on here and for featuring this piece of music performance magic. Going to London from Sydney next month to see the show. Can’t wait.
The close up shots of Agnetha when she performed The Day Before You Came here are among the best I have witnessed from ABBA..... The emotion Agnetha put into this performance is absolutely world class...
I interviewed the director of that show, Pit Weyrich, a few years ago. He told me that all four members were in a good mood, joking during rehearsals. Agnetha forgot to step down the revolving stage and disappeared behind the logo as the stage turned while the others appeared. They all laughed. The fans at the end were 30 chosen fans from the audience and ABBA of course were informed that the stage would be stormed by then. Pit Weyrich also said that Agnetha had a little hangover because she partied a little too much after the rehearsal. At that party, she met Italian duo Oliver Onions who also took part in the show. A few weeks later they would write "Stand By My Side" for Agnetha's solo album "Wrap Your Arms Around Me". Fun Fact: on the same evening, after "Show-Express", Frida and Agnetha appeared with previously recorded appearances on another programme called "Musikladen". Frida sang "To Turn The Stone" and Agnetha "Never Again" with Tomas Ledin. So yes, November 11th, 1982 was very special for the German ABBA-fans. They also filmed an interview for the show "Na sowas!" and did a photo-shooting with teen magazine "Bravo".
I watched it on TV that night, and I still remember how thrilled I was. Nobody in Germany thought it to be their last appeance for such a long time as 40 years. In the show they mentioned they would take a break, but as the years passed we all were convinced we would never see them together again. So glad we were wrong!
Did the host mention it in this show that they would take a break? Because Björn doesn't mention it in the interview. I got introduced to ABBA in 2004 with a video called "Our Last Video Ever!", so that's quite a definitive way to get introduced to them. They "fooled" me from the beginning. I am also glad we (and they) were wrong!
@@bobbysbrother137 The host asked Björn a few questions, and if I remember correctly, Björn talked about an upcoming break, because there were rumours that they would split up.
There were something about that performance that people knew it might be the end because you remember the both at the end of the songs and at the curtain call the audience just rushed the stage. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. It was an emotional wait for the audience to just say goodbye!
@@bobbysbrother137 No, they did not mention to take a break in this November 1982 show with Michael Schanze. That was in an other German show (Na sowas, host Thomas Gottschalk) in 1984 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sHEXzBzKqDo.html Björn at 1.05 min "Nur eine Pause, nur wie lang sie wird, wissen wir nicht" (Just a break, even though we do not know how long the break will be) In addition an interview for Thommys Pop-Show (host Thomas Gottschalk) was taped during the November 1982 visit to Germany/Saarbrücken. They say they are doing some other things, but especially Agnetha says that it is much easier to work TOGETHER NOW professionally as colleagues, going separate ways in their private lives. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LSScwVnULe0.html
@@HeniFFM Exactly, I knew of these two occasions, and also of Agnetha's appearance at "Wetten, dass...!?" from 1983, where she mentions it. Many thanks for the detailed reply!!
I've seen this performance hundreds of times in RU-vid. I love it. Agnetha and Frida are stunningly beautiful and their performance in front of the camera is very emotional. I love the way Frida is welcomed by the fans, she already had her success with the english album.
Yes, Frida had quite a wonderful year with her solo success, and delivered a magnificent album. She appeared on this very show "Show Express" just two episodes before, with fabulous performances of "I Know There's Something Going On" and "Baby Don't You Cry No More". She probably became very familiar with a lot of these fans' faces in that year :-)
@@bobbysbrother137 Believe it or not, Frida’s single there’s something going on Almost made the top 10 in the United States and was the 20th biggest single of all of 1983. In fact her solo single outpaced almost half of the ABBA singles released from 1974 to 1982 in the United States
I'm Oliver and I'm from Germany. I was 13 at the time and saw it on TV. Even then I was totally moved because I am a huge ABBA fan. Nice to see your comment on the performance.😊
It was so exciting then! I watched it at the time sitting in Eastgermany in front of my sisters tv set - because I could watch it in colour there. I was 17 and already a die-hard ABBA Fan … and now I’m 57 and it hasn‘t changed …. Thank you for your work!
I was lucky enough to be in the audience of the UK show "The Late Late Breakfast Show". At the time I was in my late teens and of course none of us realised at the time that was going to be the last appearance on live UK TV. Famously, the host Noel Edmonds asks them about speculation at the time of Abba ending which they denied. When I watch the recording back its hard to believe I was there, but one of my favourite memories is what happend after the show when many fans, me included, waiting outside the studio doors for Abba to come out and head for their cars. Agnetha was quickest off the mark and was first to make it into her waiting car while Bjorn, Benny and especially Frida were more forthcoming with autographs. Having spoken to Frida and got her autograph the day before (outside the Belfrey Club in London where they press launched The Singles:The First Ten Years) I focused my attention on Benny and Bjorn and was lucky enough to get their autographs too. Not wanting to miss the opportunity of even seeing Agnetha I walked over to her car and when I got there just at that very moment she realised she had trapped her coat in the door and opened it up to retrieve it. I'm both delighted and embarresed to say that I took the opportunity to very quickly stick my hand inside the car with my show ticket and pen and was rewarded with her autograph. I thanked her very much as I had done Bjorn, Benny and Frida. That was many decades ago, but its still a memory I cherish. Love your videos my friend - keep them coming!
I think this epic performance foretold their return! I first saw these videos back in 2002 and I was absolutely struck by the audience reaction which you have so beautifully described. When I saw this I said, "these *cannot* be ABBA's last original songs! Look at the excitement and love in that audience and the band themselves!"
Cassandra was one of my favorite songs back then and Frida is incredible in this performance, I also love the cheeky love you see Frida and Agnetha giving each other throughout, especially in Under Attack.
Have listened to these three songs for dozens times, and still they take my breath away...Maturity and Perfection! Pure Beauty! What a talent each of them has...Many thanks, Bobby's Brother, for your wonderful, insightful and tireless work. All the best.
Me too. These songs should be released as a separate EP, not as part of "The Visitors" packages like they've been doing ever since. Thanks for your very kind words, very encouraging for me!
@@bobbysbrother137 Totally! I am kind of perfectionist for some things and it bugs me when a lot of people think all of the 1982 songs and demos are from The Visitors 😅. It would be great to have an EP with The Day Before You Came, Cassandra, Under Attack, You Owe Me One, and I Am The City 😁 It's the perfect amount of song for an EP, and imagine if it was called "The Day Before You Came" and we actually waited until 2021 until they came back again.
Oh yes, this is one of my favourites and I watch it often. The excitement bristles from the moment the big ABBA wall drops to the ground and reveals Agnetha (genius!). The performance of "Cassandra" is so heartwarming, I adore it. I noticed how the movement of their bodies was much more buoyant compared to some other performances in the early 80's, even during the Dick Cavett special they seemed quite subdued and stationery. In this, they rock and sway while flourishing their arms. They were on fire here and seem to have found that exciting energy again. It's hard to fathom this was only six years after "Dancing Queen" 🙏💗
I am sure that they were all rather nervous performing the DC show since they had to concentrate on performing the music to a note-perfect standard, whereas all they really needed to do on ShowExpress was mime. That being said, I think TDBYC must have been incredibly difficult to mime due to the unusual phrasing and the sheer volume of words. The tight close-up on Agnetha's face for the majority of the song would have revealed any imperfection, yet, she pulled it off flawlessly. It is a shame that we never got a truly live rendition of TDBYC, so this is the next best thing.
I was there on the rehearsal (on 10 November) and on the liveshow (Saarbruecken is my hometown). It was amazing! At the end the fans just stormed the stage and i got hugged from all four members !!! Thx for sharing this !
I've seen photos published from that rehearsal in the German music press.Agnetha was wearing a blue jean trouser and a blue-ish pullover.I think Frida was wearing trousers too and had her hands in her pockets..
For those of us who have followed ABBA from 1974 on, The day before you came has always been a special song. And so was this performance. I remember being quite irritated when I first heard the song because the arrangement and Agnetha's in-character-style of singing was unexpected. But the more I listened to it, the more I was drawn into the story. I have very strong memories of this performance. At this point it had been a long time since their last live performance on german TV. So it was really special. Although there had been rumors that they might split up, we were not aware that this might be their last performance.
Bobby - I was 19 when this last tv appearance happened. Of course, living in the US, I never saw it until years later. I couldn't help but share in the excitement of the audience, even though I knew that there wouldn't be another appearance like it to come. But I'm so very glad that they made this appearance so exceptional, using all of their latest material at the time! And you're right - it was extremely special that they recorded new endings to the songs! I will always love ABBA! 😀 Once again, Bobby, thank you for this wonderful channel! I'm sure ABBA themselves appreciate you!
True, it's remarkable they used all of their latest material at the time. Even after 10 years, they didn't become that "nostalgia band" that too many other artists fall into. Thanks for your very nice words. Benny once said that he's embarrassed to see himself on TV, so considering he's constantly popping up in my videos, and on top of that someone is *talking* about him and his band...I'm not so sure this channel is for him, lol. But it's for you, and I'm glad you appreciate it :-)
I saw this Highlight of the Show in 1982 on TV! FRIDA was 2 month before on the same Show on September 9th, she performed "I Know There's Something Going On" and "Baby Don't You Cry No More".
I love when after the final note of the final song the audience was so overwhelmed the audience started rushing the stage. And when the last curtain call came the stage rush didn’t stop! I never saw such an overwhelming emotional response to the group. Has anyone ever see a group like that get rushed on stage on national television?
Being from Germany I still remember seeing ABBA perform on Showexpress when I was eight years old. Granted, I have seen that performance on youtube a number of times since, but I immediately remembered it.
Ich hatte es damals 1982 als 13 Jähriger auf Kassette mitgeschnitten und hoffte in 1983 oder 84 auf ein neues Album. Frida hatte ihr Soloalbum veröffentlicht , Agnetha sang The heat is on , Chess erschien , dann 1986 Abba live , da hoffte ich immer noch auf ein neues Album. Das es bei Michael Schanze der letzte Auftritt werden soll konnte man nicht ahnen. Nach den A-Teens und dem Erfolg der Erasure Abba Esque EP und Abba Gold 1992 hoffte ich wieder , aber alle Mitglieder lehnten einen Auftritt sowie ein neues Album ab. Geblieben ist ein Stück Abba Geschichte auf der Audiokassette die ich heute noch habe und natürlich schaue ich mir bei RU-vid immer mal wieder in die letzte viertel Stunde beim Show Express rein wenn Michael Schanze wieder sagt : Ich weiss nicht wie es bei Ihnen zuhause ist , bei uns ist eine riesen Stimmung und hier sind sie , hier sind ABBA !!!!!!
Muchas gracias Bobby por este video pero en especial por tus comentarios. Vi este video por 1era vez en plena pandemia en 2020 y te juro me emocionó hasta las lágrimas. Magistral las interpretaciones de Agnetha y Frida de las mejores en especial en Cassandra. Me lleno de alegría en un momento muy difícil
Va urmaresc si va stimez pentru muzica voastra care te atrage ca un magnet,au trecut ceva anii de cind a ti cistigat Eurovision - ul de atunci a ti intrat in inima mea chiar daca nu am avut norocul sa va vad natural va simt aproape aici linga inima mea!!!
Hello BB This was such a fantastic and memorable performances and historical ❤️ I adore everything about this special TV performance especially Agnetha and Frida so memorable both Ladies looked sensational and so Happy I thought 😉❤️
I agree with every of your words :-) yes, they looked very happy. I think it was good they took that little break in 1981-82, and then...for 40 years!? Look at them shining today!
I can still remember this show very well. I was 17, living near Leipzig in the former GDR at the time. ZDF reception (the ‘undesirable’ West German television channel in East Germany) was very poor that evening. I was glued to the television to catch everything to some extent. Little did I know that this would be ABBA's last TV appearance for a very long time. I was there, albeit only from a distance and with poor picture and sound ... Incidentally, the East German channels that evening were only full of reports about the life of Soviet head of state Breshnev, who had died the day before ... It's great to be reminded of this ABBA performance here and to be able to watch it in full elsewhere on RU-vid. A historical document, you could say.
It's crazy to think that this was one of ABBA's very last performances before the big break - even though no-one knew at the time - and yet, there they were, as full of energy as ever, as if nothing had changed. As a German, I am proud, even though I wasn't even born then, that this performance took place in my home country. I love the fact that it gave us the only performances of "Cassandra" and "The Day Before You Came" in front of an audience, as those are two of my absolute favorite ABBA songs! And I agree with you, the whole aestetic and choreography is masterful!
I was amazed when you said that you were not born at the moment of this show. So you weren't one of their fans obviously at the time and yet you are doing such a wonderful job on your videos. I had the pleasure of seeing them live in Brussels in 1978. I was 10 but I remember the show pretty accurately. ABBA was just the soundtrack of my youth and I remember that EVERYONE in my family loved ABBA. I had some singles then later a few vinyl records and later every albums on CD and today I'm still bying ABBA on vinyl new and old copies. An everlasting enchantment.
pmeuree hallo there!Nice to hear this but are you pretty sure about the year? Abba's 2 'worldwide' tours were in 1977 and 1979.Since you mention 1978 ,the band played live in Belgium in early '77 and then November '79.Maybe some kind of confusion i guess?(Unless its something i don't know).
Nobody knew at the time it would be their last television appearance. They all had other projects going on at the time. Frida had released her first English language solo album a couple of months before. Agnetha was recording her first solo albums in English and Bjorn and Benny were starting to put Chess together with Tim Rice.
I remember this very well, I was 21 at the time and actually grown into a different musical direction, already. But upon the announcement of this appearance, I had to see it, if only for melancholy rememberance - and boy, was it worth it. To tell the truth, after the last song, or more so after the first one, TDBYC, it was absolutely clear - THIS WAS IT! It's over, an era has ended, my childhood was gone for ever. Who could have expected Voyage?
I was definitely born by then but didn't know about the performance until I stumbled across it (or parts of it) on RU-vid. In fact, I know much more about ABBA and their songs and performances now than I did when they were active in the 70's and 80's, and some if that is thanks to you.
We're lucky in these regards to have so much access to information and footage nowadays, thanks to all these generous people sharing it. It's quite an adventure discovering all these gems, isn't it? I'm always thrilled when sth. previously unseen pops up, it feels brand new, yet at the same time it feels so familiar. I'm glad my videos were also part of your exploration, that's really cool. Thank you :-)
Have abba really finished now? I was 12 when abba split. I will be 53 next week. My parents were still alive. They got me interested in abba. I got my first single in 1976. Fernando. That's how long I have been a fan. Thankyou again Bobby's brother for another great video
11.11.1982 . The 2 A's + 2 B's are very much still with us, 40 years on and counting. Thanks Bobby's B ~ this was truly a remarkable performance and vibrantly filmed at the time. At the time they didn't have an inkling that 4 decades on they would be rightfully regarded as musical legends...and would make a massively successful comeback.
And this performance led right to it...40 years afterwards, if you will. Maybe they *did* stop at the right time after all, instead of turning into some nostalgia act like too many other artists. They kept their mythos alive
@@bobbysbrother137 they certainly did, proving that great music is truly timeless and powerful to have entertained two generations after their initial break up.
I recall the big buzz this one had made in the German press!I had bought 3 different music mags(Bravo/Pop rocky and another one) that had a special on this tv performance that's one of my faves.And i love the way you showed the 'whole' atmospher with fans rushing crazy on stage for the last big hug despite not knowing it was THE END.I do remember how surprised i got watching the 'disciplined'Germans 'losing it' and reacting so 'upoperly' for a studio audience!But i do felt same way cause it was obvious how much we had missed them.Aggy had a lil panic attack but Frida loved it.And it took 40 years after this to finally see the unbelievable happening.Abba getting back as a group again to meet with the fans.
I have never seen this footage before but it’s great! They went out at the top of their game. Agnetha is such a pure channel of emotion it just radiates. ❤️ Thanks!
I saw this last year for the first time last year when I join both Instagram and RU-vid and I love them. I didn't realize that this was their last tv performance. November 82' I was starting my senior year in high school and for some reason I never seen this or maybe it didn't reach USA tv yet🤷♀️. I really don't know, but I do remember their announcement of their taking a break and I was devastated 😢. I started following them since 1971 (72) and NEVER STOP LOVING THEM. Thank Bobby for sharing this clipping again. This gave me a warm feeling inside and it gave me something to watch while I'm recuperating from covid. TY TY TY TY TY❤🫂
Thanks for these kind and warm words. Good memories. And thanks for your encouraging feedback. You can also re-watch this performance in its originality, I have two links in the description above. And soon, you'll be feeling all too well again. I wish you all the best!!
I remember well, that I watched this show on TV only because of the ABBA performance. I was 14 years old at that time and was waiting for the next album release, not knowing, that it will last 40 years.
I never got to see these last tv specials ,they weren't televised in Australia.But I have watched them on RU-vid, and 2 things occurred to me ,feelings of anxiety a sadness for what then seemed to be the end ,of course with their return together with VOYAGE that has now evaporated into joy and ecstacy ,but the other thing that occurred to me was the change in music and personal looks of each of them and I wondered ,still do ,at how their music style and personal presentations would have evolved if they had continued if they had gone on.Reflection on possibilities and probabilities in another universe and time ,that now appear insignificant. ❤ABBA❤🇸🇪❤BB
Hey Bobby's Brother! I remember seeing this quite while back & have to say the performance from the 4 of them was sublime 👌 I think looking back they knew they had come along way & it was time to 'ease' back on things.. I remember Byorn saying in an interview once that when it wasn't fun anymore it would be time to call it a day ..the wording was somehow akin to that...anyway..the relationships by this time had deteriorated & it must have been bloody difficult for all 4 to still carry on in the same vein..anyone who has experienced divorce knows how difficult & bloody trying it is let alone still carry on working together!!!! BUT....who would have thought what was about to happen some 40 or so years later eh..????? Excellent review as always by your good self 👌 keep up the excellent channel 👍
I watched this live in the Netherlands (I was 16 at the time), as we could/can receive German television. I remember this so well. It was a sad performance too. As a fan I reckoned it was the end of ABBA. I also read somewhere that Agnetha was ill during this tv show, hence the sweating..
Thanks for doing the deep dive. It really is a magical sequence. I always wonder how the girls felt about the crowd rushing the stage at the end. Then doing it again at the end of the show. Frida looks OK but Agnetha looks freaked out. Guess I'll never know. The other one is from "Nöjesmaskinen" a bit earlier that year. They all seem so tired but the interview is great. Then their performance of "Thank You For The Music" is another magical moment. So intimate, the way Agnetha sings the last verse to Benny. Then I wonder about that show too because the host treats them so badly at the end. Another thing I'll never know but it couldn't have been plesent for them. Thanks again. Your channel is a wonderful tribute to ABBA.
I watched this when I was eleven years old. I remember having instructed my parents and siblings not to talk or to make any noises during their performance. I succeed.
I think I watched this performance on TV while I was staying in Finland during that winter with my family if my memories are correct. I was just bought The Singles: The First Ten Years double album but didn't know they're on TV so it was kind of nice surprise for me.
Probably one of their most animated performances in years although at the time a lot of us would have to wait for the internet to develop to catch up from gems show in other countries. I remember in the UK it was years to wait until we were able to see ABBA in Japan in all its glory. Watching the 1982 Show Express its still hard to believe it was 40 years ago and judging by the ABBA members happy, totally at ease performance, if the decision to disband had now been made or if, it was all pure excitement to perform before a live audience of fans again. infact I would say this is such a good performance, its a shame the 1982 recording sessions only yielded six songs, as I always thought a 1982 album would have been much more 'electro-pop' than 'The Visitors' was. I can almost imagine the other three songs in this same performance.
Thank you very much! I have always loved this performance from "Showexpress", 1982, and even the two songs "The Day before you came" and "Under Attack". But for me it's hard to understand what they sing in "Cassandra" and "Under Attack".
Honestly, I agree with you that this was ABBA's finest TV moment. Though the 'live' concert at the Dick Cavett special was impeccable, the whole show as a whole was and is pretty cringy to watch, and their whole body language was just off. This wasn't the case with Show Express. They really seemed at ease, engaging with the audience and with the camera in ways they hadn't done before. BTW I did not know this was the final Show Express program but looking back at the very end, when all of the performers are taking their bow, there is indeed a sense of finality...only increased when the host does his bow and gestures that it's not over yet...and brings Agnetha, Björn, Benny and Frida for their own curtain call before they were promptly besieged by those 'sweaty obsessed crowds' as they were walking off the stage. The show went all out to give ABBA its rightful presence with the suspense around 'The Day Before You Came', the band coming around, the video effects and filters. My favorite performance of all three has to be 'Cassandra', given it's the only TV performance of this brilliant B-side. You can feel Frida's delivery...her connection and delivery with the camera. There are plenty of beautiful and enjoyable moments in the entire performance: Benny, Björn and Frida joining in the backing vocals for 'TDBYC', Frida's dancing at the very end of 'Cassandra', and her giving props to Benny as he breaks into the synth on 'Under Attack', Frida and Agnetha's playfulness while singing that final song...I could go on.
Ich war damals 20 und lebte in der DDR rund wusste vom Gefühl her. Das ist das vorläufige Ende von ABBA. Es lag etwas Schwere in der Luft es wirkte leider auch etwas gezwungen. Dabei sind alle 3 Songs Weltklasse.
thanks again for a great video. Not sure, but I think this show was supposed to be filmed in Germany late 1980 when "Super Trouper" was out. But then there were threats against ABBA and as it was just after the murder of John Lennon (Dec 1980) they decided to film that show in Stockholm, maybe in a reduced version as the show Express 1980 performance had a more modest staging. In the short interview Björn also says that after the difficulties around the previous time they are happy to finally be in Germany.
If you ever watch the clip of the end of the show when the host welcomes them once more, the audience storms the stage again. Except in much bigger numbers. Benny and Bjorn make a hasty exit and escape (No gallantry haha) but the girls get caught. I'd guess that could have been a bit unnerving for Agnetha but the film shows her being guided through the throng towards the dressing rooms. Frida was carrying a big bouquet of flowers and she got mobbed. ABBA's commercial success may have dropped at that time but it must have been special for the group to still feel such love from their devoted fans.
Ciao Bobby in questo in questo show si vede che non sono molto a loro agio. I RAGAZZI qui erano molto freddi verso le ragazze. Forse qui havevano avevano un altra famiglia e forse non potevano essere gentile con le ragazze ciao.Ma le canzoni erano meravigliose e le loro interpretazioni favolose come sempre.musiche bellissime grazie.
I remember watching Abba on the Noel Edmonds Late Late Breakfast Show, and even at the time it was very uncomfortable viewing (all the more so in hindsight). Every year for a few years after, I hoped that there would be another album, but there were solo projects, Chess, and some other small releases such as the first Abba Live. But then came Gold, Mamma Mia, MM the movie, MM2, and it culminated last year in Voyage and this year with the concert. Could there by anything left in the vaults?
I just watched that entire show via the link you provided, and I’m not convinced it’s live. Are we sure they are not mining to their recordings? They don’t have any microphones, and I don’t see how that’s possible.
At the time, 'live' had the meaning of an act that did it in front of a live studio audience-such as Top of the Pops- instead of a promo film or a studio performance without an existing crowd.
It's really impressive that ABBA have prepared the alternative ending in the studio, to perform it in German TV. However I have this certain feeling of disappointment when all those shows in TV are being mostly played from playback and them playing unplugged instruments always makes me missing this tiny element of immerse and naturalness.
Yes, ABBA was very precise when it comes to preparing things like that. They also prepared an alternate ending for "I Have A Dream" for playback (performed on their very final performance a few weeks afterwards, "The Late, Late Breakfast Show"), and in 1978, they created an a cappella ending for "Take A Chance On Me" (performed on French TV's "Les Rende-vous du dimanche" and Germany's "James Last’s Star Parade"). I feel like you about playback performances, but on the other hand, I also understand the many reasons why it was absolute common practice back then, especially on shows like this.
grzesiektg,at the time it was 'bound' for artists to perform playback cause they were promoting their job and wanted the public to get to know it after listening to it the best possible way.Except for some very rare cases such us the rock UK show 'Old grey whistle test'.But despite this, Abba did some pre- recordings each now and then to sound slightly different.Such as the totally diferent rocky raw version of 'Does your mother know" in the Swiss tv special in 1979.As well as the 'If it wasn't for the night' performance they did same year in a Uk show,doing an aternate version than the album's more 'polished' one
Hi guys, I also see from time to time this video and as we have all those wonderfull digital sources today, I still remember how it worked in 1982 when my father bought a VHS video recorder some month earlier. Or to be more precise... how it doesn't work then.... I did a mistake in using the record button and for whatever reason, the show was not recorded. Hm, made me extremly angry as I remember. I was 17 years alod andobviously not familiar with such a "fancy" new technology. 😅 But what I also remember....when ABBA performed the first song "The day before you came", I felt that the audience was not that kind, as they seemed to get nervous because Frida wasn't visible in the first section of the performance. I thought, that wasn't fair for Agnetha, as she hat to "work" allone on stage for the first part until Frida appeared. But that might be just my impression and it wasn't really the case. Anyway, it was a wonderfull performance and as I love "Cassandra" very much, it was nice to see this song performed live my our common heros. Take care and thanks one more time to BB for the deepest kind of info I ever got in regard of ABBA. Bye / Frank
@@bobbysbrother137 yes indeed and another track I always think that gets over looked which is probably one of my favourite tracks is should I laugh or cry
I know fans love The Day Before You Came now but in 82 it was an odd choice to make that the single over Cassandra, which has a more pop appeal and should have been a hit… or probably would have been a hit if it was written and released around 76-78 range when they were at their peak of their popularity. Day Before is too somber, repetitive and long to be a single… good album/deep cut, but not commercial.
On 11.11.1982 I was 13 and it was already the second time that Abba appeared on "Show Express" of the "Second German Television ZDF". However, the first appearance on November 27th, 1980 took place due to the threat to kidnap one of Agnetha&Björn's children or to inflict other serious damage on the four via satellite connection in Stockholm; The Winner takes it all, Super Trouper and On and on and on were performed, all playback. On both occasions, I personally found the moderator's chatter with Abba trivial and annoying. I would have preferred to hear a fourth song. At the second performance, the howling/howling of some fans in the audience was also annoying. In 1980 and 1982, Show-Express had fantastic ratings, especially since there was only one other main broadcaster to compete with and Abba were the headliners par excellence. Addendum: I just saw on Wikipedia that Frida Solo was on the same show on September 9th, 1982 (Something's going on)
Unfortunately, this was also the same time of the final cringy interview. It was clear they were tired of each other. Bjorn's and Benny's body language was not good, and Benny and Frida were at each other’s throats. Amazingly, Bjorn and Agnetha were civil with each other.
I have never seen Bjorn and Agnetha showing their feelings. They hid it well. Once they said it took the pressure off and they were fine professionally.
@@domenicosacco5845 Yes, they pre-recorded the alternate, cold endings in the studio. For quite some time, many years ago, I was always wondering if they played the endings live, but they pre-recorded it, and added them to the playbacks.
In 1981, ABBA made a TV-show. I guess it was a kind of cooperation between Swedish SVT, German ZDF and Polar in Sweden for the German television: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xb4nsLDd1E4.html As Michael Schanze said in the show here, you are talking about, there had been threats (danger) against ABBA, so they could not travel to Germany and visit the show before, as it actually was planed.
@@bobbysbrother137 Yes. It was the ultimate Drag Show. These people are singers. I have never understood the concept of miming to one's own voice. Who do they think they're fooling? I read once that it was a copyright issue - that only one version of a current hit song could be broadcast. Hence the miming. I remember Donna Summer doing it for Dick Clark when she appeared on his show. The best example is The Mamas and the Papas on the Ed Sullivan Show with Michele singing into a banana.
@@Leftatalbuquerque It was mainly for technical reasons, especially back then and with many artists on one show. It's easier that way than to plug and unplug all those instruments of every artist etc.
ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OSSQs3HtHcA.html benny said on the end of this interview that there were two more songs recorded for voyage. do u think we will ever hear them?
When I listen to Benny talk about the two songs, he seems to be quite open to finish them. In my estimation, it's not unlikely we'll get them, but that's just me, I don't know nothing.
